Tax partner Marianna G. Dyson, Chair of the Executive Committee at Miller & Chevalier (Washington, D.C.), has been named one of Washington, D.C.'s most influential women lawyers by the National law Journal:

Miller & Chevalier head Marianna Dyson doesn't apologize for her firm's independent streak. By going it alone, she believes, the 100-lawyer firm has seen more success than if it had joined with a larger shop. Not that they haven't had offers. Dyson said that, since she took over as chairwoman of the executive committee in 2007, the firm has been approached by several larger firms. Miller & Chevalier appeared ripe for the picking after partner defections in 2006 and 2007 left its international trade practice in tatters. "We were being told all the time that there was no way we could survive," Dyson said. But the partners decided to stick it out, focusing on their key practices (tax, employee benefits, litigation and government affairs). She said that decision has been met with "enthusiastic" client support. "They like the idea of having a smaller, more flexible firm working for them," Dyson said. Credit for the firm's turnaround must also go to the driving force that is Dyson herself. She keeps an eye on morale, not afraid to use things as basic as food and candy to lift spirits. Dyson said the firm is working on a succession plan to preserve the "core of the firm's culture." In classic Dyson speak, she said, "We have stuck to our knitting so far, and it's really paid off."